piggyback
|pig-gy-back|
/ˈpɪɡiˌbæk/
ride on a back; attach to or take advantage of something larger
Etymology
'piggyback' originates from English, specifically as a folk alteration of the earlier phrase 'pick-a-back' (early modern English), where 'pick' meant 'to lift up' or 'place on the back'.
'piggyback' changed from the Middle/early modern English expression 'pick-a-back' (also recorded as 'pickaback' or 'pickback'), which through folk etymology and association with 'pig' became 'piggyback' in later English.
Initially, it referred literally to placing someone on one's back ('carry on the back'), but over time it extended figuratively to mean 'to attach to or take advantage of something larger' (e.g., systems, services).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a ride on someone's back and shoulders while they carry you.
He gave his little sister a piggyback across the playground.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the practice or system of carrying smaller vehicles or containers on larger transport units (e.g., truck trailers on rail cars).
Freight companies often use piggyback to move truck trailers by rail.
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Noun 3
unauthorized or opportunistic use of someone else's network or resource (derived from the verb).
The café warned customers about Wi‑Fi piggybacking on the open network.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to carry someone on your back and shoulders.
She offered to piggyback the toddler to the car.
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Antonyms
Verb 2
to attach, combine with, or make use of something larger or already existing to accomplish a purpose (figurative: 'to take advantage of' or 'to leverage').
They plan to piggyback the new feature onto the existing platform.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/07 02:13